Solid-state imaging device, pixel-signal processing method, analog-signal transferring device, and analog-signal transferring method

ABSTRACT

A solid-state imaging device including:
         an imaging pixel region where a plurality of imaging pixels is disposed;   a vertical selecting circuit for outputting pixel signals from imaging pixels of respective columns on a selected row of the imaging pixel region to vertical signal lines provided respectively for the columns;   charge integrating amps provided respectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so as to receive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respective columns;   holding elements that allow the input pixel signals to be held in the charge integrating amps even in periods when the charge integrating amps are in a standby state; and   a horizontal selecting circuit for transferring pixel signals output from the respective charge integrating amps by a horizontal signal line.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/963,265, filed Oct. 12, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference to the extent permitted by law. The presentinvention claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos.2003-354888 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 15, 2003, and2004-243551 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Aug. 24, 2004, theentirety both of which are incorporated by reference herein to theextent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, apixel-signal processing method for a solid-state imaging device, ananalog-signal transferring device, and an analog-signal transferringmethod.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, as an alternative to CCD image sensors, interest in CMOS imagesensors has arisen. This is because CMOS image sensors overcome variousproblems of CCD image sensors. The problems of CCD image sensorsinclude, for example, the problem that CCD requires special processesfor manufacturing, the problem that a plurality of power supply voltagesis needed for operation thereof, and the problem that the system is verycomplex since a plurality of peripheral ICs must be used in combination.

CMOS image sensors can be manufactured by the same manufacturingprocesses as ordinary CMOS integrated circuits that are manufacturedaround the world. Furthermore, CMOS image sensors can be driven by asinge power source. Furthermore, it is possible to combine analogcircuits and logic circuits manufactured by CMOS processes in a singlechip, so that the number of peripheral ICs can be reduced. These areconsiderable merits for the CMOS image sensors.

The mainstream of output circuits for CCDs is one-channel output using afloating diffusion (FD) amp. In contrast, the mainstream of CMOS imagesensors is of the type having FD amps for respective pixels and havingcolumn-parallel outputs, i.e., one row of a pixel array is selected andpixels on the selected row are simultaneously read out in a columndirection. In this type of CMOS image sensors, it is difficult to obtainsufficient driving ability with the FD amps provided in the pixels, sothat the data rate must be decreased, for which parallel processing isadvantageous.

Various arrangements of a signal output circuit for the parallel-outputCMOS image sensors have been proposed. As an example, outputs of pixelsare sampled by switched capacitors to read the outputs. As anotherexample, signals are read by amps provided for the respective columns.As yet another example, AD converters and DRAMs are also provided forthe respective columns. The present invention mainly relates to a schemeof reading by amps provided for the respective columns.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220describes an example of the scheme of reading by amps provided for therespective columns, which will be briefly described with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17.

In, FIG. 16, one column (circuitry of one vertical signal line VL)associated with one pixel 102 is shown as extracted.

The pixel 102 is formed by a photodiode PD, a reset transistor Trst, anamplifying transistor Tg, and a reading transistor Ts. In this case, theoutput of the pixel 102 is read using a charge integrating amp formed bya source-grounded amp 100 and capacitors C1 and C2.

It is to be particularly noted that the feedback capacitor C2 is adaptedto be precharged by a switch Tr15 and a reference voltage Vref so thatoffset variation among the source-grounded amps 100 is removed.

FIG. 17 shows an operation timing chart of the circuit. In a period T1in a horizontal blanking period, a value obtained by superposing asignal Vps on an offset voltage Vo is output. The charge integrating ampis reset with a switch Tr13 turned on by a signal φRC. At this time, theswitch Tr15 is turned on by the signal φRC, and the switch Tr14 isturned off by a signal φTC, so that the capacitor C2 is precharged tothe reference voltage Vref.

Then, in a period T2, the switch Tr15 is turned off and the switch Tr14is turned on by the signals φRC and φTC, so that the prechargedreference voltage Vref appears on the output of the charge integratingamp. Since the switch Tr13 is turned off simultaneously with the switchTr15, the reset state is exited.

Then, in a period T3, only the offset voltage Vo is output from thepixel 102, and the output is integrated, so that only the signalcomponent is read at the output of the charge integrating amp with again determined by the capacitance ratio of the capacitors C1 and C2.

The signals that are read last are sequentially output to the horizontalsignal lines HL in synchronization with pulses supplied from a shiftregister 101.

As described above, according to the scheme of reading by amps providedfor the respective columns, it is readily possible to remove an offsetvoltage of pixels and to extract only signal components, and the gain ofreading can be set arbitrarily by the capacitance ratio of thecapacitors C1 and C2. Furthermore, variation of source follower can beremoved by precharging of the reference voltage Vref. As describedabove, the scheme has various advantages.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-266399describes another scheme of reading, which will be described withreference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

In FIG. 18, three columns (vertical signal lines VL1, VLn, and VLN) thatare arbitrarily selected are shown as extracted. Furthermore, as a pixel200 formed by a photodiode PD and a reading transistor Ts, a pixelassociated with a selecting line Vs is shown. In this case, when theselecting line Vs is selected by a vertical scanning circuit 201, pixelson one row are selected, and signals from the respective pixels areoutput to the respective columns (the respective vertical signal linesVL).

This example is similar to the example described in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 5-207220 in that amps 203 areprovided for the respective columns (the respective vertical signallines VL). It is to be particularly noted, however, that standbycontrolling signals φP (φP1, φPn, and φPN) are supplied from ahorizontal scanning circuit 202 to the respective amps 203. Thus, theamps 203 are allowed to shift between a standby state and an activestate on a column-by-column basis.

The outputs of the respective amps 203 are selected by switches 204, andare transferred to an output terminal 205 via horizontal signal linesHL. The switches 204 are respectively controlled to turn on or off bysignals φH (φH1, φHn, and φHN) from the horizontal scanning circuit 202.

FIG. 19 shows an operation timing chart.

An amp 203 is selected by a pulse of the signal φHN, and a signal isread in that period. As opposed to the example described in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220, signals are notread at once in a horizontal blanking period, but signals arerespectively read in periods selected according to the signals φHN, sothat operation is not needed in periods not selected according to thesignals φHN. That is, amps 203 that are not selected are allowed to stayin the standby state.

Considering that it takes some time for the amps 203 to return from thestandby state, standby control signals φPn are caused to rise somewhatearlier than the signals φHn, but the amps are in the standby state inother periods so that currents do not flow. Thus, for example, assuminga sensor (pixel array) having 1,000 columns and the amps 203 providedfor the respective columns, a current actually flows only in one amp, ortwo amps in the example shown in FIG. 19 considering overlapping of thesignals φPn. Thus, advantageously, power consumption is very low.

The related art described in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 5-207220 and Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 11-266399 have the following problems.

According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.5-207220, since amps must be provided for the respective columns, powerconsumption inevitably increases. Particularly in this example,horizontal signal lines HL must be driven directly, and for example, inthe case of a sensor having 1,000 columns, the time that can be used todrive the horizontal signal lines HL is limited to 1/1,000 of aneffective period of a horizontal period, so that operation at a veryhigh speed is required. This causes increase in operation current perone amp among the amps provided for the respective columns, causingadditional increase in power consumption.

Furthermore, although the reference voltage Vref essentially determinesthe black level of signals, since a fixed potential is used, trackingability to variation factors such as temperature change or power supplyvoltage is not provided. Thus, a clamp circuit is needed at a subsequentstage in order to supply a stable black level, causing increase incircuitry scale.

According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.11-266399, although power consumption is decreased, as describedearlier, pixel signals must be read and horizontally transferred in theperiods of the signals φHn. Thus, compared with the example described inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220, theamps must operate at a very high speed, causing increase in current thatflows per one amp. Furthermore, the layout area of the amps increases,which is very disadvantageous considering the restriction that the ampsmust be laid out respectively for the vertical signal lines from theimaging pixel array, i.e., for the respective columns, so thatdifficulty is design is expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the situation described above, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a favorable solid-state imaging device and apixel-signal processing method, i.e., to provide a circuit that givestracking ability for a black level at low power consumption withoutcausing increase in layout area in an arrangement in which chargeintegrating amps are provided for the respective columns. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a favorable analog-signaltransferring device and analog-signal transferring method.

The present invention, in one aspect thereof, provides a solid-stateimaging device including an imaging pixel region where a plurality ofimaging pixels is disposed; a vertical selecting circuit for outputtingpixel signals from imaging pixels of respective columns on a selectedrow of the imaging pixel region to vertical signal lines providedrespectively for the columns; charge integrating amps providedrespectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so as toreceive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respectivecolumns; holding elements that allow pixel signals input, for example,in a horizontal blanking period to be held in the charge integratingamps even in periods when the charge integrating amps are in a standbystate; and a horizontal selecting circuit for transferring pixel signalsoutput from the respective charge integrating amps by a horizontalsignal line.

The holding elements may be implemented by circuits that fix outputs ofthe charge integrating amps to a predetermined holding voltage.

Preferably, the horizontal selecting circuit allows the chargeintegrating amps to be switched individually between an ON state and thestandby state according to amp controlling signals supplied respectivelyto the charge integrating amps, and allows the charge integrating ampsto be connected individually to the horizontal signal line according toamp selecting signals for connecting the respective charge integratingamps to the horizontal signal line, and the charge integrating ampsprovided for the respective columns are sequentially turned on for apredetermined period and are connected to the horizontal signal line sothat pixel signals output from the respective charge integrating ampsare sequentially output to the horizontal signal line.

The horizontal selecting circuit may output the amp controlling signalsand the amp selecting signals as common signals.

The charge integrating amps may have feedback capacitors implemented byvariable capacitors.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides a solid-stateimaging device including an imaging pixel region where a plurality ofimaging pixels is disposed; a vertical selecting circuit for outputtingpixel signals from imaging pixels of respective columns on a selectedrow of the imaging pixel region to vertical signal lines providedrespectively for the columns; charge integrating amps providedrespectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so as toreceive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respectivecolumns; a horizontal selecting circuit for transferring pixel signalsoutput from the respective charge integrating amps by one or morehorizontal signal lines; a reference-potential generating unit forgenerating a reference potential based on a black level of the pixelsignals output through the horizontal signal lines; and chargingelements for charging feedback capacitors of the charge integrating ampsto the reference potential generated by the reference-potentialgenerating unit, before pixel signals are read by the vertical selectingcircuit.

The solid-state imaging device may further include holding elements thatallow the input pixel signals to be held in the charge integrating ampseven in periods when the charge integrating amps are in a standby state.

The feedback capacitors of the charge integrating amps may beimplemented by variable capacitors.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides a solid-stateimaging device including an imaging pixel region where a plurality ofimaging pixels is disposed; a vertical selecting circuit for outputtingpixel signals from imaging pixels of respective columns on a selectedrow of the imaging pixel region to vertical signal lines providedrespectively for the columns; amps such as charge integrating amps,provided respectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so asto receive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respectivecolumns; a plurality of horizontal signal lines; and a horizontalselecting circuit for assigning pixel signals held by the amps of therespective columns to the plurality of horizontal signal lines so thatthe pixel signals are transferred by the plurality of horizontal signallines.

The solid-state imaging device may further include a multiplexer forsequentially selecting the plurality of horizontal signal lines togenerate serial data including output pixel signals based on the pixelsignals transferred by the plurality of horizontal signal lines.

Preferably, shielding lines that are based on a reference potential ofthe multiplexer are provided between the plurality of horizontal signallines.

The horizontal selecting circuit may transfer the outputs of therespective amps in such a manner that the outputs passing through theplurality of horizontal signal lines overlap each other with shifts ofone clock period.

Preferably, the horizontal selecting circuit allows the amps to beswitched individually between an ON state and a standby state accordingto amp controlling signals supplied respectively to the amps, and allowsthe amps to be connected individually to one of the plurality ofhorizontal signal lines according to amp selecting signals forconnecting the respective charge integrating amps individually to aspecific horizontal signal line among the plurality of horizontal signallines, and the amps provided for the respective columns are sequentiallyturned on for a predetermined period and are connected to the horizontalsignal lines so that pixel signals output from the respective amps aresequentially transferred by the plurality of horizontal signal lines.

The horizontal selecting circuit may output the amp controlling signalsand the amp selecting signals as common signals. Alternatively, insteadof using common signals, the horizontal selecting circuit may turn onthe respective amps by the amp controlling signals before connecting theamps to the horizontal signal lines by the amp selecting signals.

Preferably, the horizontal selecting circuit includes a shift register,and pulse signals having a pulse width determined in accordance with thenumber of the horizontal signal lines and a data rate of the pixelsignals output from the amps are input to the shift register to generatethe amp selecting signals.

The horizontal selecting circuit may generate each of the ampcontrolling signals for the respective amps by taking logic OR of apulse that functions as an amp selecting signal for a relevant amp and apulse whose edge timing is advanced than an edge timing of the pulse.For example, the amp controlling signal for an n-th amp among the ampsis generated by taking logic OR of an n-th amp selecting signal for then-th amp and an (n−1)-th amp selecting signal for an (n−1)-th amp.

When the amps are charge integrating amps, preferably, the solid-stateimaging device further includes a reference-potential generating unitfor generating a reference potential based on a black level of the pixelsignals output through the horizontal signal lines, and chargingelements for charging feedback capacitors of the charge integrating ampsto the reference potential generated by the reference-potentialgenerating unit, before pixel signals are read by the vertical selectingcircuit.

Alternatively, the solid-state imaging device may further include areference-potential generating unit for generating a reference potentialbased on a black level of the pixel signals output through thehorizontal signal lines, wherein the reference potential is used as areference potential for an output amp of the multiplexer.

The solid-state imaging device may further include holding elements thatallow the input pixel signals to be held in the amps even in periodswhen the amps are in a standby state.

When the amps are charge integrating amps, feedback capacitors of thecharge integrating amps may be implemented by variable capacitors.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides apixel-signal processing method including a pixel-signal verticaltransfer step of outputting pixel signals from imaging pixels ofrespective columns on a selected row of an imaging pixel region where aplurality of imaging signals is disposed to vertical signal linesprovided respectively for the columns; a signal holding step of holdingpixel signals by charge integrating amps provided respectively for thevertical signal lines of the columns; a standby step of causing thecharge integrating amps to enter a standby state while holding the pixelsignals; and a horizontal transfer step of sequentially turning on thecharge integrating amps for a predetermined period so that the pixelsignals held by the charge integrating amps are transferred by ahorizontal signal line.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides apixel-signal processing method including a pixel-signal verticaltransfer step of outputting pixel signals from imaging pixels ofrespective columns on a selected row of an imaging pixel region where aplurality of imaging signals is disposed to vertical signal linesprovided respectively for the columns; a signal holding step of holdingpixel signals by charge integrating amps provided respectively for thevertical signal lines of the columns; a horizontal transfer step ofsequentially transferring the pixel signals held by the chargeintegrating amps by a horizontal signal line; a reference-potentialgenerating step of generating a reference potential based on a blacklevel of the pixel signals output through the horizontal signal line;and a charging step of charging feedback capacitors of the chargeintegrating amps to the reference potential generated in thereference-potential generating step, before pixel signals are read inthe pixel-signal vertical transfer step.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides apixel-signal processing method including a pixel-signal verticaltransfer step of outputting pixel signals from imaging pixels ofrespective columns on a selected row of an imaging pixel region where aplurality of imaging signals is disposed to vertical signal linesprovided respectively for the columns; a signal holding step of holdingpixel signals by amps provided respectively for the vertical signallines of the columns; and a horizontal transfer step of assigning thepixel signals held by the amps of the respective columns to a pluralityof horizontal signal lines so that the pixel signals are transferred bythe plurality of horizontal signal lines.

According to the solid-state imaging devices and pixel signal processingmethods described above, pixel signals of columns on a selected row areread from an imaging pixel region (pixel array) where a plurality ofimaging pixels is arranged. The pixel signals are read in parallel in ahorizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals ofthe respective columns are output in an effective period of thehorizontal period to the horizontal signal lines via the chargeintegrating amps and are then horizontally transferred.

The above aspects of the present invention have the following mainfeatures regarding reading of pixel signals of the respective columns inparallel:

(1) Charge integrating amps provided for the respective columns enterthe standby state while holding pixel signals that are read in ahorizontal blanking period.

(2) In charge integrating amps provided for the respective columns, thereference potential for precharging feedback capacitors of amps at thetime of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on theblack level.

(3) Pixel signals are horizontally transferred from the respectivecharge integrating amps using a plurality of horizontal signal lines HLin parallel, so that the data rate per one horizontal signal line isreduced.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides ananalog-signal transferring device including an analog-signal holdingunit including signal holding elements for holding analog signals, thesignal holding elements being arranged along one or more rows; amps forreading signal values of the signal holding elements, provided forrespective columns of the analog-signal holding unit; a plurality ofhorizontal signal lines; and a horizontal selecting circuit forassigning outputs of the amps to the plurality of horizontal signallines so that the outputs are transferred by the plurality of horizontalsignal lines; wherein the horizontal selecting circuit transfers theoutputs of the amps in such a manner that the outputs passing throughthe plurality of horizontal signal lines overlap each other with shiftsof one clock period.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides ananalog-signal transferring method including a vertical transfer step ofoutputting analog signals from an analog-signal holding unit to verticalsignal lines provided for respective columns, the analog-signal holdingunit including signal holding elements for holding analog signals, thesignal holding elements being arranged along one or more rows; a signalholding step of holding analog signals by amps provided for the verticalsignal lines of the respective columns; and a horizontal transfer stepof assigning the analog signals held by the respective amps to aplurality of horizontal signal lines so that the analog signals aretransferred by the plurality of horizontal signal lines at such timingsthat the analog signals overlap each other with shifts of one clockperiod.

According to the analog-signal transferring device and the analog-signaltransferring method, since analog signals from the respective amps aretransferred horizontally using a plurality of horizontal signal lines inparallel, the data rate per one horizontal signal line can be decreased.

The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides a solid-stateimaging device further including a chip for processing signals outputthrough the horizontal signal line or horizontal signal lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a construction according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing timing of an operation for reading pixelsignals according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example circuit of a horizontal scanningcircuit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operation timing of the horizontal scanningcircuit according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing example circuits of a chargeintegrating amp according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the construction of a multiplexer accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing operation timing of the multiplexeraccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a construction according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example circuit of a horizontal scanningcircuit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing operation timing of the horizontal scanningcircuit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a construction according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a construction according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a construction according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a construction according to a sixthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a module-type solid-state imaging deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a construction according to a first relatedart;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing operation timing according to the firstrelated art;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a construction according to a secondrelated art; and

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing operation timing according to the secondrelated art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, solid-state imaging devices and pixel-signal processing methodsaccording to first to sixth embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a construction according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. The circuit shown in FIG. 1 allows pixel signalsobtained by a pixel array 1 in a solid-state imaging device to be outputfrom an output terminal 10. A lens system for forming a path of lightincident on the pixel array 1 and a signal processing system provided ata subsequent stage of the output terminal 10 are not shown, anddescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The pixel array 1 includes a large number of imaging pixels 2 arrangedin a row direction and a column direction. Each of the pixels 2 isformed by a photodiode PD, a transferring transistor Ttr, a resettransistor Trst, an amplifying transistor Tg, and a selecting transistorTs, connected as shown in FIG. 1.

The selecting transistors Ts of the imaging pixels 2 on each column ofthe pixel array 1 are commonly connected to a vertical signal line VL(VL1, VL2, . . . VLn).

Furthermore, in order to allow common control for reading from theimaging pixels 2 on each row, a set of reset control line Lrst, atransfer control line Ltr, and a select control line Ls is provided foreach row of the pixel array 1. Each of the reset control line Lrst, thetransfer control line Ltr, and the select control line Ls receivescontrol pulses from a vertical scanning circuit 3 at specific timings.

With regard to each of the imaging pixels, the gate of the resettransistor Trst is connected to the associated reset control line Lrst,the gate of the transferring transistor Ttr is connected to theassociated transfer control line Ltr, and the gate of the selectingtransistor Ts is connected to the associated select control line Ls.

The vertical scanning circuit 3 sequentially selects the rows of thepixel array 1 so that pixel signals are read by the vertical signallines VL. As will be described later in more detail, with regard to eachrow of the pixel array 1, the vertical scanning circuit 3 applies pulsesto the reset control line Lrst and the select control line Ls so that areset level is supplied to the vertical signal lines VL. The verticalscanning circuit 3 also applies pulses to the transfer control line Ltrand the select control line Ls so that pixel signals corresponding tocharges accumulated in photodiodes PD are supplied to the verticalsignal lines VL. The vertical scanning circuit 3 sequentially executesthe reading operation described above for each of the rows of theimaging pixels 2.

Pixel signals of the imaging pixels 2 on a single selected row are readin a horizontal blanking period of one horizontal period. That is, inthe horizontal blanking period, pixel signals from the imaging pixels 2on a single row selected by the vertical scanning circuit 3 are outputin parallel to the vertical signal lines VL1, VL2, . . . VLn.

Charge integrating amps 9 are provided respectively for the respectivecolumns, i.e., respectively for the vertical signal lines VL1, VL2, . .. VLn.

Each of the charge integrating amps 9 is formed by capacitors Ccp andCs, switches Ssh, Srt, Spc, Spx, and Shd, and an amp A.

The capacitor Ccp (Ccp1 to Ccpn) is disposed in series between the inputof the amp A (A1 to An) and the associated vertical signal line VL (VL1to VLn).

The capacitor Cs (Cs1 to Csn) functions as a feedback capacitor for theamp A (A1 to An).

The amp A (A1 to An) functions as an inverting amp.

In this case, the amp A functions as a capacitance feedback amp, and itoutputs a signal at a gain determined by the capacitance ratio of thecapacitors Ccp and Cs. Charges of a pixel signal read from an imagingpixel 2 are accumulated in the capacitor Cs, so that the chargeintegrating amp 9 functions to hold the charges of the pixel signal.

Furthermore, an amp driving circuit 4 for driving the charge integratingamps 9 is provided. The amp driving circuit 4 supplies signals φSH, φRT,φPC, φXPC to the charge integrating amps 9 at specific timings.

In each of the charge integrating amps 9, the switch Ssh (Ssh1 to Sshn)turns on or off the input of the amp A from the associated vertical lineVL according to the signal φSH.

The switch Srt (Srt1 to Srtn) functions to short-circuit the input andoutput of the amp A, and is turned on or off according to the signalφRT.

The switch Spc (Spc1 to Spcn) allows a charging system to be connectedto the capacitor Cs, and is turned on or off according to the signalφPC.

The switch Spx (Spx1 to Spxn) is turned off when the capacitor Cs is tobe charged, and is turned on or off according to the signal φXPC, whichis an inverted pulse of the signal φPC.

The switch Shd (Shd1 to Shdn) is turned on when the output of the amp Ais to be fixed to a hold voltage Vhd.

In FIG. 1, charge integrating amps 9 for n columns are shown, and thecomponents of the charge integrating amps 9 are designated by signs (A,Ccp, Ssh, etc.) with “1” to “n” attached correspondingly to therespective columns. However, a number of columns (i.e., vertical signallines VL) as necessary is formed on the (n+1)-th and subsequent columnsthat are not shown, and charge integrating amps 9 are also providedrespectively for the columns.

The output terminals of the respective charge integrating amps 9 (theoutput terminals of the amps A1 to An . . . ) are connected tohorizontal signal lines HL via the switches Ssl (Ssl1 to Ssln, Ssl(n+1). . . ), respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal signal lines HL include n horizontalsignal lines HL1 to HLn.

The amp A1 on the first column is connected to the horizontal signalline HL1 via the switch Ssl1. The amp A2 on the second column isconnected to the horizontal signal line HL2 via the switch Ssl2. Theamps A on the subsequent columns are similarly connected, and the amp Anon the n-th column is connected to the horizontal signal line HLn viathe switch Ssln.

Furthermore, the amp An+1 on the (n+1)-th column, not shown, isconnected to the horizontal signal line HL1 via the switch Ssl(n+1), towhich the amp A1 on the first column is also connected. The amps on the(n+2)-th and subsequent columns, not shown, are connected to thehorizontal signal lines HL2, HL3, . . . in order.

That is, assuming that the pixel array 1 has M columns, the chargeintegrating amps 9 for the M columns are assigned in order and areconnected to the n horizontal signal lines HL1 to HLn.

The horizontal scanning circuit 5 sequentially selects the chargeintegrating amps 9 so that pixel signals output from the chargeintegrating amps 9 are transferred by the horizontal signal lines HLrespectively connected to the charge integrating amps 9. For thispurpose, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 outputs amp selecting signalsφS (φS1 to φSn . . . ) to the switches Ssl (Ssl1 to Ssln, Ssl(n+1) . . .). A charge integrating amp 9 associated with a switch Ssl that isturned on by an amp selecting signal φS outputs a pixel signal to theassociated horizontal signal line HL.

Furthermore, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 outputs amp controllingsignals φP (φP1 to φPn . . . ) to the amps A1 to An . . . to controlwhether the respective amps A are to be in a standby state or an ONstate. Accordingly, the amps A can be individually controlled to be inthe ON state or the standby state. That is, when a pulse that serves asan amp controlling signal φP is at H level, an amp A that receives thepulse operates normally. On the other hand, when a pulse that serves asan amp controlling signal φP is at L level, an amp that receives thepulse enters the standby state, so that a current does not flow.

The horizontal scanning circuit 5 controls horizontal transfer by theamp selecting signals φS and the amp controlling signals φP. Morespecifically, for example, when a pixel signal from the chargeintegrating amp 9 on the first column is to be horizontally transferred,the horizontal scanning circuit 5 causes the amp A1 to return from thestandby state to the ON state by the amp controlling signal φP1. Then,the horizontal scanning circuit 5 causes the switch Ssl1 to turn on bythe amp selecting signal φS1.

The amp controlling signals φP are also supplied respectively to theassociated switches Shd via inverters IV, and the switches Shd areturned on or off according to the amp controlling signals φP. Thus, whenan amp A is in the standby state, the associated switch Shd is turnedon, and when an amp A is turned on, the associated switch Shd is turnedoff.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a plurality of horizontal signallines HL is provided, the outputs of the charge integrating amps 9 aretransferred in parallel. Thus, a multiplexer 8 is provided on the outputside to multiplex the outputs into a single line. That is, pixel signalsof the respective columns, transferred by the horizontal signal linesHL1 to HLn, are sequentially selected by the multiplexer so that thepixel signals are output in the form of serial data from the outputterminal 10 to a circuit at a subsequent stage, similarly to a casewhere only a single horizontal signal line HL is provided.

Furthermore, a black-level controlling circuit 6 for detecting thelevels of output pixel signals and setting an appropriate black level isprovided. The black-level controlling circuit 6 feeds back a signal toone end of each of the switches Spc of the charge integrating amps 9 viaa clamp-voltage outputting amp 7.

The operation of the solid-state imaging device according to the firstembodiment, constructed as described above, will be described withreference to a timing chart shown in FIG. 2.

Basically, pixel signals are read in a horizontal blanking period. In ahorizontal blanking period, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation in a resetperiod and an operation in a reading period are carried out.

When starting a reset period, the horizontal scanning signal 5 pulls allthe amp controlling signals φP (φP1, φP2, . . . ) to H level, so thatthe amps A on all the columns return from the standby state to the ONstate.

On the pixel array 1, the imaging pixels 2 on one row are selected bythe vertical scanning circuit 3. That is, the selecting transistors Tson one row are turned on. Then, the reset transistors Trst on the roware turned on, so that reset levels Voff appear on the vertical signallines VL via the amplifying transistors Tg on the row.

The reset levels Voff include reset noises of the imaging pixels 2 andvariation among the threshold voltages of the amplifying transistors Tg,so that the reset levels Voff take on different values for therespective imaging pixels 2.

At this time, in each of the charge integrating amps 9, the switch Srtis turned on by the signal φRT, so that the input and output of the ampA is short-circuited to cause a feedback, whereby a threshold voltageVat of the amp A appears on the output Vout.

At the same time, the switch Spc is turned on by the signal φPC, and theswitch Spx is turned off by the signal φXPC, so that one end of thecapacitor Cs is fixed to a clamp voltage Vcp by the clamp-voltageoutputting amp 7.

At this time, the capacitor Cs holds the potential of the clamp voltageVcp with reference to the threshold voltage Vat.

Also, the capacitor Ccp holds the reset voltage Voff of the relevantimaging pixel 2 with reference to the threshold voltage Vat.

Then, the signals φRT and φPC are caused to fall, so that the switchesSrt and Spc are turned off in order, and then the signal φXPC is causedto rise so that the switch Spx is turned on.

When the switch Spx is turned on, a feedback is provided to the amp Avia the capacitor Cs, so that the input of the amp A is maintained atthe same threshold voltage Vat as before. Thus, at the output Vout ofthe amp A, the clamp potential Vcp appears due to charges held by thecapacitor Cs.

Then, a reading period is started.

First, the transferring transistors Ttr of the imaging pixels 2 on therow selected by the vertical scanning circuit 3 are turned on, so thatcharges are transferred from the photodiodes PD, whereby signal levelsVsig are output from the imaging pixels 2 to the vertical signal linesVL.

Since the signals appear as superposed on the reset levels Voffdescribed earlier, the signals can be expressed as Voff−Vsig.

Since each of the charge integrating amps 9 stores the value of thereset level Voff in the capacitor Ccp, the charge integrating amp 9integrates only the amount of shift from the reset level Voff andoutputs the result. At this time, the gain of reading is determined bythe capacitance ratio, as expressed below:Vout=(Ccp/Cs)Vsig+Vcp  (1)where Vout denotes the output voltage of the charge integrating amp 9.As will be understood from equation (1), the output Vout does not dependon the reset level Voff of the imaging pixel 2 or the threshold voltageVat of the amp A.

In the reading operation described above, the order of reading is suchthat the reset level Voff is read from the imaging pixel 2 and then thesignal level Vsig is read. Alternatively, the order may be such that thesignal level Vsig is read first and then the reset level Voff is read.

Then, the operation proceeds from the horizontal blanking period to aneffective period. At this time, the amp controlling signals φP (φP1,φP2, . . . ) are all pulled to L level. Thus, the amps A of therespective columns enter the standby state, so that currents do notflow.

At this time, the output of each of the amps A is indeterminate withouttaking any measure. When the output is indeterminate, a signal stored inthe capacitor Cs is not necessarily maintained.

More specifically, assuming that the switch Ssh is implemented by anNMOS transistor, the switch SSh is caused to enter an OFF state bypulling the gate voltage thereof to GND level. However, when the outputof the amp A is indeterminate, the output Vout of the amp A could dropto GND level due to the effect of a leak current or the like. Then, theinput of the amp drops to a negative potential via the capacitor Cs.Thus, the source voltage of the NMOS transistor becomes lower than thegate voltage thereof, so that the switch Ssh is turned on, wherebysignal charges leak from the capacitor Cs. Obviously, when signalcharges leaks from the capacitor Cs as described above, even when theamp A is returned to the ON state, it is not possible to supply acorrect pixel signal to the horizontal signal line HL.

Thus, in this embodiment, in order to prevent such a situation, the ampcontrolling signal φP is inverted by the inverter IV and the switch Shdis controlled by the inverted pulse. That is, when the amp A is in thestandby state, the switch Shd is turned on by the inverted pulse so thatthe output Vout of the amp A is fixed to the predetermined holdingvoltage Vhd.

Thus, even when the amp A is in the standby state, the output Vout ofthe amp A is prevented from becoming indeterminate, so that loss of datastored in the capacitor Cs is prevented.

At this time, a voltage Vin at the input of the amp A is determined bythe amount of charges accumulated in the capacitor Cs, and can beexpressed as:Vin=Vhd−((Ccp/Cs)Vsig+Vcp)−Vat)  (2)

The value of the holding voltage Vhd is preferably chosen inconsideration of the capacitances of the capacitors Ccp and Cs and themaximum amount of the signal charges Vsig so that the potential of theinput voltage Vin does not become negative. Particularly, when an offleak of the NMOS transistor of a process used is large, considerationmust be paid to reduce leak by preventing the value of the input voltageVin from becoming too low so that a backward bias is constantly appliedto the NMOS transistor.

The above description has been made in the context of an example wherethe switch Ssh is implemented by an NMOS transistor. When the switch Sshis implemented by a PMOS transistor, consideration must be paid so thatthe source voltage thereof does not become higher than the gate voltagethereof.

As described above, by the operation of the switch Shd and the fixedholding potential Vhd, even when the amp A is in the standby state, asignal read in a horizontal blanking period can be maintained in thecapacitor Cs.

After that, it suffices to cause the amp A to return from the standbystate when the signal is to be transferred horizontally. Thus, the timein which a current actually flows is very short, so that powerconsumption is reduced compared with the related art.

Horizontal transfer is driven by the amps A provided for the respectivecolumns.

When signals of the imaging pixels 2 are read out in the verticaldirection, it is possible to read the signals slowly using a horizontalblanking period. In the case of the horizontal direction, signals mustbe transferred at a predetermined data rate, so that a high-speedoperation is needed. Since a horizontal signal line HL is long and straycapacitance is large due to a large number of switches being connected,a certain degree of driving ability is required to drive the horizontalsignal lines HL quickly. It is difficult to drive the horizontal signallines HL by the amps A that are laid out for the respective columns,causing increase in the layout area.

Thus, in this embodiment, a plurality of horizontal signal lines HL1 toHLn is provided as described above, and signals are transferred inparallel to reduce the data rate. The number (n) of horizontal signallines HL is not limited. The data rate per one line is decreased as thenumber of horizontal signal lines HL is increased. Usually, the numberof horizontal signal lines HL is preferably such that the driving speedis substantially the same as that in the reading operation in thehorizontal blanking period.

In the effective period shown in FIG. 2, as described earlier, after theamp controlling signals φP are all pulled to L level, the horizontalscanning circuit 5 sequentially pulls the amp controlling signals φP toH level for a predetermined period, one by one in order starting fromthe first column, thereby sequentially activating the amps A of therespective columns. At the same time, the horizontal scanning circuit 5sequentially turns on the switches Ssl by the amp selecting signals φSso that signals are transferred by the horizontal signal lines HL.

More specifically, in the effective period, in order to horizontallytransfer a pixel signal of the first column, the amp controlling signalφP1 is pulled to H level so that the amp A1 is activated from thestandby state. Immediately after that, the amp selecting signal φS1 ispulled to H level so that the output of the amp A1 is transferred by thehorizontal signal line HL1.

Then, with a shift of transfer timing for one pixel, in order tohorizontally transfer a pixel signal of the second column, the ampcontrolling signal φP2 is pulled to H level so that the amp A2 isactivated from the standby state. Immediately after that, the ampselecting signal φS2 is pulled to H level so that the output of the ampA2 is transferred by the horizontal signal line HL2.

In this manner, horizontal transfer is carried out sequentially for thecolumns.

Thus, the amps A1, A2, . . . operate sequentially one by one with timingshifts of one pixel period. Furthermore, the switches Ssl1, Ssl2, . . .are periodically connected to the horizontal signal lines HL in order.

The amp selecting signals φS are pulses having a width that isdetermined based on the number of horizontal signal lines HL. Since theamp selecting signals φS are shifted in order by one pixel period, theamp selecting signals φS have overlapping periods as shown in FIG. 2. Inthe example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the number of horizontalsignal lines HL is five.

Pixel signals held by the amps A are respectively transferred by theassociated horizontal signal lines while the relevant amp selectingsignals φS are at H level. Thus, for example, as shown in parts (a),(b), and (c) of FIG. 7, the outputs of the respective amps A aretransferred by the associated horizontal signal lines HL overlappinglywith a timing shift of one clock period.

Since signals are horizontally transferred while the relevant ampselecting signals φS are at H level, it suffices for the amp controllingsignals φP to be pulled to H level only in those periods to activate theamps. In this embodiment, however, considering that it takes some timeto activate the amps A, the amp controlling signals φP are activatedearlier than the amp selecting signals φS. That is, the amps A1, A2, . .. are controlled to be turned on by the amp controlling signals φP, andare then connected to the horizontal signal lines by the amp selectingsignals φS.

The horizontal scanning circuit 5 for generating the amp controllingsignals φP and the amp selecting signals φS can be implemented by asimple circuit, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

The horizontal scanning circuit 5 shown in FIG. 3 includes a shiftregister implemented by flip-flops FF (FF1, FF2 to FFn . . . ), and ORgates OR1, OR2 to ORn . . . . FIG. 4 shows operation timing of thehorizontal scanning circuit 5.

Each of the flip-flops FF has a clock input terminal to which a clockHclk shown in FIG. 4 is supplied, and it latches a D input at the timingof the clock Hclk. The clock Hclk has a clock rate that is the same asthe data rate of pixel signals.

As the D input to the first flip-flop FF1, a data pulse Hdata shown inFIG. 4 is supplied. The data pulse Hdata has a wide pulse relative tothe clock rate, as shown in FIG. 4.

The Q outputs (latch outputs) of the respective flip-flops FF1, FF2,FF3, . . . serve as the amp selecting signals φS1, φS2, φS3, . . .respectively.

The amp controlling signal φP (φP1, φP2, φP3 . . . ) are obtained asoutputs of the OR gates OR (OR1, OR2, OR3, . . . ).

The OR gate OR1 takes the logical OR of the data pulse Hdata suppliedthereto and the Q output of the flip-flop FF1 to generate the ampcontrolling signal φP1. The OR gate OR2 takes the logical OR of the Qoutput of the flip-flop FF2 and the Q output of the flip-flop FF1 togenerate the amp controlling signal φP2. The OR gate OR3 takes thelogical OR of the Q output of the flip-flop FF3 and the Q output of theflip-flop FF2 to generate the amp controlling signal φP3.

That is, the amp controlling signal φPn for the n-th amp An is generatedby taking the logical OR of the amp selecting signal φSn for the n-thamp An and the amp selecting signal θSn−1 for the (n−1)-th amp An−1.

In this embodiment, in order to carry out horizontal transfer using aplurality of horizontal signal lines HL, the amp selecting signals φSmust have a pulse width corresponding to the data rate of pixel signalsmultiplied by the number of horizontal signal lines. By inputting datapulse Hdata having a pulse width corresponding to the data rate of pixelsignals multiplied by the number of signal lines to the simplehorizontal scanning circuit 5 implemented using a shift registercircuit, pulses that have a needed pulse width and that are shifted inaccordance with the data rate of pixel signals, i.e., the amp selectingsignals φS1, φS2, . . . can be readily generated.

As for the amp controlling signals φP that are used to cause the amps Ato return from the standby state, as described earlier, it is neededthat the amp controlling signals φP rise earlier than the amp selectingsignals φS. The circuit including OR gates, shown in FIG. 3, is used sothat an amp controlling signal φPn is generated by taking the logical ORof the pulse of an amp selecting signal φSn and the pulse of a previousamp selecting signal φSn−1. Thus, the amp controlling signal φPn thatrises earlier than the amp selecting signal φSn and that fallssimultaneously with the amp selecting signal φSn can be readilygenerated.

That is, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 generates each of the ampcontrolling signals φP1, φP2, . . . for the respective amps A1, A2, . .. by taking the logical OR of the pulse of the amp selecting signalφS(x) for the associated amp A(x) and a pulse whose edge timing isadvanced (i.e., the amp selecting signal φS(y) for the amp A(y) that isselected earlier).

In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the amp controlling signal φPnrises earlier than the amp selecting signal φSn by one clock. If the ampcontrolling signal φPn is to rise earlier by two clocks, the ampcontrolling signal φPn is generated by taking the logical OR of the ampselecting signal φSn and the amp selecting signal φSn−2. It is possibleto cause the amp controlling signal φPn to rise earlier by a pluralityof clocks in a similar manner. Note, however, that since it is notpossible to cause the first amp controlling signal φP1 to rise earlierthan the amp selecting signal φS1 by two clocks in the arrangement shownin FIG. 3, an extra flip-flop is provided at a previous stage of theflip-flop FF1 in the shift register to carry out dummy shifting.

By the horizontal scanning circuit 5 of the example described above, theswitch Shd is turned off when the amp controlling signal φP rises, andthe output of the amp A returns to the value expressed by equation (1).

When the horizontal transfer completes and the amp selecting signal φSfalls, the amp controlling signal φP also falls and the amp A returns tothe standby state.

By the amp driving method described above, of the amps A providedrespectively for the columns, the same number of amps A as the number ofhorizontal signal lines HL are activated. The other amps A are in thestandby state, and currents do not flow. Therefore, power consumption islow. Furthermore, since the data rate per one horizontal signal line HLis decreased, the amps A do not require a high driving ability, so thatit is possible to lay out the amps A for the respective columns.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show specific example circuits of the amps A provided forthe respective columns. In all the examples, an inverted amp is formed.FIG. 5A shows a typical source-grounded amp, in which a transistor T10is additionally provided for standby. The signal xφP denotes an invertedpulse of the signal φP.

FIG. 5B shows a differential amp, which has an advantage that thethreshold voltage Vat can be controlled by Vref when a feedback isprovided. Also in this example, a transistor T10 is additionallyprovided for standby.

FIG. 5C shows a regulated cascode circuit in which an auxiliary amp a2is provided to increase the gain of a source-grounded amp a1. Aregulated cascode is described in detail in IEEE Journal of Solid-StateCircuit, Vol. 25, No. 1, February 1990. Also in this example, atransistor T10 is additionally provided for standby.

FIG. 5D shows a modification in which the transistor T10 for standby isprovided in a different manner, in which transistors are not disposed inseries, so that insusceptibility to variation is improved. Although thecircuit shown in FIG. 5D is a modification of the circuit shown in FIG.5A, the similar connection of a standby transistor can be applied to thecircuit shown in FIG. 5B.

As described above, horizontal transfer is carried out in parallel by aplurality of horizontal signal lines HL, and the plurality of horizontalsignal lines HL is sequentially selected by the multiplexer 8 foroutput.

FIG. 6 shows an example circuit of the multiplexer 8.

The multiplexer 8 includes sampling circuits 51-1 to 51-n respectivelyassociated with the horizontal signal lines HL1 to HLn, and an outputamp 50.

Each of the sampling circuits 51-1 to 51-n is formed by four switches Smand a capacitor Cm.

For example, the sampling circuit 51-1 includes switches Sm11, Sm21,Sm31, and Sm41, and a capacitor Cm1. The switches Sm11, Sm21, Sm31, andSm41 are turned on or off by the signals φm11, φm21, φm31, and φm41. Thesignals φm11, φm21, φm31, and φm41 are generated, for example, by atiming generator (not shown) in the multiplexer 8 so that the signalsare pulled to H level at specific timings with reference to a horizontalsync signal.

The switch Sm11 allows the horizontal signal line HL1 to be connected tothe capacitor Cm1. The switch Sm21 allows a reference for the capacitorCm1 to be connected to a reference voltage Vref1. The switches Sm31 andSm41 allow charges of the capacitor Cm1 to be transferred to the outputamp 50. That is, when the switches Sm31 and Sm41 are turned on, thecapacitor Cm1 is connected in the feedback path of the output amp 50.

The other sampling circuits 51-2 to 51-n are configured similarly to thesampling circuit 51-1.

The non-inverting input V+ of the output amp 50 is connected to areference voltage Vref2.

FIG. 7 shows a timing chart of the operation of the multiplexer 8.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the amps A of the respectivecolumns for driving the horizontal signal lines HL sequentially operatewith timing shifts of one pixel period, so that the outputs thereof arealso sequentially shifted by one pixel period.

Pixel signals held by the amps A by the horizontal transfer operationdescribed above are transferred overlappingly with shifts of one clockperiod (one pixel period) on the plurality of horizontal signal linesHL, as indicated by signals D1, D2, and D3 in parts (a), (b), and (c) ofFIG. 7.

Description will be given with regard to the horizontal signal line HL1and the sampling circuit 51-1 with reference to parts (a) and (d) ofFIG. 7.

At time to, signals φm11 and φm21 are pulled to H level, so that theswitches Sm11 and Sm21 are both turned on. The output of the horizontalsignal line HL1 charges the capacitor Cm1 with reference to thereference voltage Vref1.

At time t1, the signal φm11 is pulled to L level, and at time t2, thesignal φm21 is pulled to L level. Thus, the switches Sm11 and Sm21 aresequentially turned off, so that the voltage on the horizontal signalline HL1 is sampled by the capacitor Cm1.

Finally, at time t3, signals φm31 and φm41 are simultaneously pulled toH level, so that the switches Sm31 and Sm41 are simultaneously turnedon, whereby the capacitor Cm1 is connected to the output amp 50.

Since the capacitor Cm1 is connected between the output terminal Vout ofthe output amp 50 and the negative input terminal V− thereof, virtualgrounding occurs, and the output amp 50 outputs, as the output Vout, apotential difference accumulated in the capacitor Cm1 with reference tothe reference voltage Vref2. Letting the output of the horizontal signalline HL1 be denoted as Vhl1 and the output voltage of the amp as Vout,the output voltage Vout can be expressed as:Vout=Vref2+(Vhl1−Vref1)  (3)

Assuming that the reference voltage Vref1 is equal to the referencevoltage Vref2, equation (3) can be rewritten as:Vout=Vhl1  (4)Thus, the output of the horizontal signal line HL1, i.e., the output ofthe amp A as expressed by equation (1) is directly output. Preferably,the reference voltages Vref1 and Vref2 are chosen to be equal when noparticular reason exists for choosing the values otherwise.

Although the above description has been made with regard to thehorizontal signal line HL1 and the sampling circuit 51-1, as will beunderstood with reference to parts (b), (c), (e), (f), and (g) of FIG.7, the sampling circuits 51-2 to 51-n repeat similar operations for thehorizontal signal lines HL2 to HLn with timing shifts of one pixelperiod, so that data is continuously transferred to the output amp.

Thus, for example, as shown in parts (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 7, thesignals D1, D2, and D3 that appear on the horizontal signal lines HL1,HL2, and HL3 are output in the form of serial data at the output Voutshown in part (h) of FIG. 7.

By implementing the multiplexer 8 by the circuit described above, datatransferred in parallel through the plurality of horizontal signal linesHL1 to HLn is efficiently converted into a single line of serial data.Although only the single output amp 50 is provided in the embodimentdescribed above, a plurality of output amps may be provided to form aplurality of output channels. This is possible simply by changing theconnections and operation timings of the switches Sm3* and Sm4*.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible toread pixel signals efficiently using the charge integrating amps 9.Furthermore, since a precharging voltage of the capacitor Cs isgenerated by the black-level controlling circuit 6 and the clamp-voltageoutputting amp 7, the black level can be controlled without beingaffected by variation among the threshold voltages of the amps A.

Furthermore, in an effective period, the charge integrating amps 9 areallowed to enter the standby state while holding the signals read in ahorizontal blanking period. Thus, the charge integrating amps 9 areactivated only at timing of horizontal transfer and enter the standbystate in other periods, so that power consumption is considerablyreduced.

Furthermore, by carrying out horizontal transfer using the plurality ofhorizontal signal lines HL1 to HLn in parallel, data rate per onehorizontal signal line HL is reduced. Thus, it is possible to drivehorizontal signal lines HL by the amps A having low driving ability,laid out for the respective columns. Therefore, increase in layout areacaused by providing amps having high driving ability is avoided.Furthermore, since the multiplexer 8 is provided, data transferred inparallel by the plurality of horizontal signal lines HL1 to HLn isefficiently converted into serial data.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 8 shows a construction according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention. In the following description of embodiments, partscorresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same numerals,and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The construction shown in FIG. 8 is basically the same as that of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but differs in that signals φS (φS1,φS2, . . . ) output from the horizontal scanning circuit 5 are commonlyused as amp controlling signals and amp selecting signals.

That is, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 supplies the signals φS tocontrol standby of the amps A and to control the switches Shd.

In the first embodiment described above, the amp controlling signals φPare caused to rise somewhat earlier than the amp selecting signals φS inconsideration of the time for the amps A to return from the standbystate, as described with reference to FIG. 2. If the amps A do not takemuch time to return from the standby state, it is possible to use thesignals φS as the signals φP, as shown in FIG. 8.

Thus, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 is simplified, and the layout isfacilitated since the number of vertical lines (lines in the columndirection) is reduced.

In the case where common signals are used for the amp controllingsignals φP for causing the amps A to return from the standby state andthe amp selecting signals φS for connecting the amps A to the horizontalsignal lines HL, the horizontal scanning circuit 5 can be implemented bya circuit shown in FIG. 9.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 9 differs from the arrangement shown inFIG. 3 in that the OR gates for generating the amp controlling signalsφP are omitted, so that the arrangement shown in FIG. 9 is simpler thanthat shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 shows operation timing of the arrangementshown in FIG. 9, which is the same as the operation timing shown in FIG.4 except in that the amp controlling signals φP are omitted (i.e., theamp selecting signals φS also function as the amp controlling signalsφP).

Third Embodiment

FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, feedback capacitors Csv (Csv1, Csv2, . . . ) of the amps Ain the charge integrating amps 9 are implemented by variable capacitors.

Thus, the term Ccp/Cs in equation (1) becomes variable, so thatvariable-gain amplifiers are implemented.

It is to be readily understood that the variable capacitors Cvs can beimplemented by allowing selection from a plurality of capacitors byswitches. In that case, pulses for selecting capacitance are output fromthe amp driving circuit 4.

According to the third embodiment, the function of programmable gain amp(PGA), which is required in a camera system, can be implemented in thecharge integrating amps 9. Thus, systems at subsequent stages can besimplified, and the gain is increased at an early stage. Accordingly,sufficient signal amplitude is ensured even when pixel signal levels aresmall, and insusceptibility to noise is improved.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, a fixed voltage VrefPC is used as aprecharging voltage for feedback capacitors Cs in the charge integratingamps 9.

The black-level controlling circuit 6 and the clamp-voltage outputtingamp 7 generate a clamp voltage, which is fed back to the referencevoltage Vref2 (refer to FIG. 6) of the multiplexer 8.

Then, the reference voltage Vref2 in equation (3), i.e., the referencefor the output amp 50 in the multiplexer 8, functions as a clamp voltagein accordance with the black level, so that the black level iscontrolled appropriately.

In the case of the first embodiment, since the reference for pixelsignals that are read is controlled based on the black level, the blacklevel can be controlled only in a horizontal blanking period, i.e., onlyonce in a horizontal period. In contrast, when clamping is exercised bythe multiplexer 8 as shown in FIG. 12, time for a clamping operation isnot limited, so that the black level can be controlled any time.

Thus, the control of the black level is not limited as to the length oftime and the number of times, so that the clamp circuit serves toachieve stability and high tracking ability.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifthembodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, theblack-level controlling circuit 6 and the clamp-voltage outputtingcircuit 7 generate a clamp voltage, which is fed back to the referencevoltage Vref2 of the multiplexer 8. In this case, since the black levelneed not be controlled by precharging the feedback capacitors Cs, theswitches Spc and Spx and the reference potential VrefPC are omitted fromthe arrangement shown in FIG. 12. This kind of circuit configuration isfeasible in some cases.

The operation of the circuit configured as described above is the sameas that in the timing chart shown in FIG. 2 except in that the signalsφPC and φXPC are omitted.

According to this embodiment, the circuit configuration is simplified.However, the output Vout expressed in equation (1) is expressed as:Vout=(Ccp/Cs)Vsig+Vat  (5)so that the output Vout operates with reference to the threshold voltageVat of the amp. Since the threshold voltages are expected to vary amongthe amps A on the respective columns, care must be taken in design.

Sixth Embodiment

In the embodiments described above, a plurality of horizontal signallines HL is provided, so that coupling between the horizontal signallines HL cause problems depending on layout. Furthermore, since longhorizontal signal lines HL must be driven by amps A not having highdriving ability, provided for the respective columns, presumably,impedance is high, and noise is likely to enter via stray capacitors orthe like.

Thus, in the sixth embodiment, in order to overcome the problemsdescribed above, shield lines SiL are provided between the plurality ofhorizontal signal lines HL1 to HLn, and the shield lines SiL are coupledwith the reference voltage Vref1 of the multiplexer 8.

That is, a shield line SiL is provided between each pair of horizontalsignal lines HL to prevent coupling. Furthermore, the horizontal signallines HL are coupled with the shield lines SiL by stray capacitors Cx,and the shield lines are connected to the reference voltage Vref1, sothat the potential of the horizontal signal lines HL becomes equal tothat of the capacitors Cm for sampling the horizontal signal lines HL,shown in FIG. 6. Thus, noise is prevented from entering via the straycapacitors Cx.

Modifications

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, various modifications that fall within the scope of the presentinvention are possible.

The present invention has the following main features:

(1) Charge integrating amps provided for the respective columns enterthe standby state while holding pixel signals that are read in ahorizontal blanking period.

(2) In charge integrating amps provided for the respective columns, thereference potential for precharging feedback capacitors of amps at thetime of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on theblack level.

(3) Pixel signals are horizontally transferred from the respectivecharge integrating amps using a plurality of horizontal signal lines HLin parallel.

The present invention covers any arrangement having any one or anycombination of the three features.

For example, when the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is modified so thatthe number of horizontal signal lines HL is one and so that themultiplexer 8 is omitted, the modified arrangement has the features (1)and (2).

When the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 or the arrangement shown in FIG.13 is modified so that the number of horizontal signal lines HL is oneand so that the multiplexer 8 is omitted, the modified arrangement hasthe feature (1).

When the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is omitted so that the black-levelcontrolling circuit 6 and the clamp-voltage outputting amp 7 are omittedand so that precharging voltage is supplied at a fixed potential, themodified arrangement has the features (1) and (3).

The present invention can be implemented in various forms including themodifications described above.

Furthermore, although charge integrating amps are used to read signalsfrom columns of vertical signal lines VL in the embodiments describedabove, the present invention is not limited to arrangements includingcharge integrating amps.

The method of transferring analog signals in such a manner that timingsof driving a plurality of horizontal signal lines overlap each otherwith timing shifts of one clock is not limited to use in solid-stateimaging devices according to the embodiments described above, and can beapplied to other fields.

For example, when the parallel transfer according to the presentinvention is used to precisely and quickly read analog data from anarray of rows or an array of rows and columns, such as an analog memory,precise and quick reading is allowed at low power consumption.

That is, when analog-signal holding elements for holding analog signalsare provided along one or more rows in an analog memory device or thelike, analog signals are output from the analog-signal holding elementsto vertical signal lines of the respective columns, and the signalvalues of the analog-signal holding elements are read by amps providedfor the respective columns.

Then, the analog signals held by the respective amps are assigned to aplurality of horizontal signal lines and are thereby transferred.

A solid-state imaging device according to the present invention may be asolid-state imaging device implemented by a single chip or a module-typesolid-state imaging device implemented by a set of chips. When asolid-state imaging device according to the present invention isimplemented by a set of chips, a sensor chip for imaging, a signalprocessing chip for digital signal processing, and so forth, areprovided separately, and an optical system is optionally included. Anexample construction is shown in FIG. 15.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, “row”and “column” indicating the arrangement of pixels or the direction oflines refer to a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of amatrix, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited tothe arrangements of components described above. For example, signals maybe read from pixels to the outside of an imaging region through signallines extending in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the directionsof “row” and “column” depend on how “row” and “column” are defined. Forexample, when “row” indicates a vertical direction, the presentinvention is to be construed with “row” and “column” exchanged with eachother.

Furthermore, even when pixels are not strictly arranged in a matrixform, for example, when pixels are arranged with shifts of half pitch,those skilled in the art can set “row” and “column” as appropriate andapply the present invention.

1. A solid-state imaging device comprising: an imaging region with anplurality of imaging pixels arranged in rows and columns; a plurality ofvertical signal lines respectively associated with the columns of theimaging pixels; a horizontal signal line; a plurality of amplifier unitsrespectively associated with the vertical signal lines and positionedbetween their respective vertical signal lines and the horizontal signalline, the amplifier units receiving as inputs imaging signalstransferred to them via the vertical signal lines, the amplifier unitsproducing as an output pixel signals which can be transferred to thehorizontal signal line; a plurality of switching units respectivelyassociated with the amplifier units; a vertical selecting circuitoperatively associated with the imaging pixels and the vertical signallines and capable of selectively effecting transfer of imaging signalsfrom the imaging pixels along a selected row to their respectivevertical signal lines; a horizontal selecting circuit operativelyassociated with the amplifier units and the horizontal signal line andcapable of effecting transfer of pixel signals from the amplifier unitsto the horizontal signal line; and a predetermined voltage source with apredetermined voltage, wherein, each switching unit and its respectiveamplifier units are configured such that the output of the amplifierunit is fixed to the predetermined voltage when the amplifier unit is ina STANDBY state.
 2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1,further comprising holding elements associated with the amplifier unitsand which are implemented by circuits that fix outputs of the amplifierunits to a predetermined holding voltage.
 3. The solid-state imagingdevice according to claim 1, further comprising an amplifier unitdriving circuit; and wherein, the horizontal selecting circuit (1)allows the amplifier units to be switched individually between an ONstate and the STANDBY state according to amplifier unit controllingsignals supplied respectively to the amplifier units from the amplifierunit driving circuit, and (2) allows the amplifier units to be connectedindividually to the at least one horizontal signal line according toamplifier unit selecting signals for connecting the respective amplifierunits to the horizontal signal line, and the amplifier units aresequentially turned on for a predetermined period and are connected tothe horizontal signal line so that pixel signals output from theamplifier units are sequentially transferred to the horizontal signalline.
 4. The solid-state imaging device of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of horizontal signal lines, and wherein, the plurality ofamplifier units are coupled between their respective vertical signallines and the plurality of horizontal signal lines, and the horizontalselecting circuit is configured to selectively transfer the pixel signalfrom the amplifier units to one or more selected horizontal signallines.
 5. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 4, furthercomprising a multiplexer for sequentially selecting the plurality ofhorizontal signal lines to multiplex the pixels into a serial datastream.
 6. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 4, whereinthe horizontal selecting circuit transfers the outputs of the respectiveamps in such a manner that the pixel signals passing through theplurality of horizontal signal lines overlap each other with shifts ofone clock period.
 7. The solid-state imaging device according to claim4, wherein: the horizontal selecting circuit allows the amplifier unitsto be switched individually between an ON state and a STANDBY stateaccording to the amplifier unit controlling signals supplied to theamplifier units, and selects the amplifier units to be connectedindividually to one of the plurality of horizontal signal lines by meansof amplifier unit selecting signals, and the amplifier units providedfor the respective columns are sequentially turned on for apredetermined period and are connected to the horizontal signal lines sothat pixel signals output from the respective amplifier units aresequentially transferred via the plurality of horizontal signal lines.8. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 7, wherein: thehorizontal selecting circuit comprises a shift register, and pulsesignals having a pulse width determined in accordance with the number ofthe horizontal signal lines and a data rate of the pixel signals outputfrom the amplifier units are input to the shift register to generate theamplifier unit selecting signals.
 9. The solid-state imaging deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the horizontal selecting circuit turns onthe respective amplifier units by the amplifier unit controlling signalsbefore connecting the amplifier units to the horizontal signal lines bythe amplifier unit selecting signals.
 10. The solid-state imaging deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the horizontal selecting circuit generateseach of the amp controlling signals for the respective amps by takinglogic OR of a pulse that functions as an amp selecting signal for arelevant amp and a pulse whose edge timing is advanced than an edgetiming of the pulse.
 11. The solid-state imaging device according toclaim 4, further comprising holding elements associated with theamplifier units and which allow the imaging signals to be held in theamplifier units even when the amplifier units are in a standby state.12. A solid-state imaging device according to claim 4, furthercomprising a chip for processing signals output through the horizontalsignal line or horizontal signal lines.
 13. A solid-state imaging deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a chip for processing signalsoutput through the horizontal signal.
 14. A solid-state imaging devicecomprising: an imaging region with an plurality of imaging pixelsarranged in rows and columns; a plurality of vertical signal linesrespectively associated with the column of the imaging pixels; ampsprovided respectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so asto receive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respectivecolumns; a plurality of horizontal signal lines; and a plurality ofamplifier units respectively associated with the vertical signal linesand positioned between their respective vertical signal lines and thehorizontal signal lines, the amplifier units receiving as inputs imagingsignals transferred to them via the vertical signal lines, the amplifierunits producing as an output pixel signals which can be transferred tothe horizontal signal line; a plurality of switching units respectivelyassociated with the amplifier units; a vertical selecting circuitoperatively associated with the imaging pixels and the vertical signallines and capable of selectively effecting transfer of imaging signalsfrom the imaging pixels along a selected row to their respectivevertical signal lines; and a horizontal selecting circuit operativelyassociated with the amplifier units and the horizontal signal line andcapable of effecting transfer of pixel signals from the amplifier unitsto the horizontal signal lines, wherein, the amplifier units are chargeintegrating amps, and the solid-state imaging device further comprises areference-potential generating unit for generating a reference potentialbased on a black level of the pixel signals transferred to thehorizontal signal lines, and charging elements for charging feedbackcapacitors of the charge integrating amps to the reference potentialgenerated by the reference-potential generating unit, before imagingsignals are read by the vertical selecting circuit.